Controversy Over Groups of Students Riding Bicycles Dangerously in Baebang-eup, Asan, Chungnam
Seventy Reports of Hazardous Riding This Year... All Involving Juveniles Not Criminally Responsible
It has been revealed that dozens of reports have been filed with the police regarding groups of elementary school students engaging in dangerous bicycle riding in Asan, Chungnam. Both drivers and pedestrians are at risk of accidents, but since most of these individuals are juveniles between the ages of 10 and 14 who are not criminally responsible under the law, it is difficult to impose sanctions through police crackdowns alone.
A group of cyclists, presumed to be elementary school students, are riding on the road in the Baebang-eup area of Asan, Chungnam. Online community
According to Yonhap News on September 16, the Asan Police Station announced that there have been a total of 70 reports filed with the police regarding dangerous bicycle riding by youths in the Baebang-eup area of Asan from January to the previous day.
The reports were made by local residents or drivers. They reported to the police with statements such as, "The children are riding their bicycles dangerously in groups," and "They are occupying the roadway with their bicycles and obstructing vehicle traffic."
The reports were concentrated between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays near three elementary schools in the Baebang-eup area. Of the 27 cases caught on site by the police, all of the riders were confirmed to be juveniles not criminally responsible under the law. Such juveniles may receive protective measures ranging from 1 to 10, including placement in protective custody, community service orders, probation, or referral to a juvenile detention center.
These students typically move in groups of four to five, blocking all lanes of a two-lane one-way road, circling intersections, performing stunts, or making sudden stops to hinder vehicles behind them, thereby engaging in dangerous riding. Some have been caught by the police up to three times for repeatedly engaging in such hazardous behavior.
Recently, a post was uploaded to an online community stating that groups of students on bicycles were occupying roads and continuing to ride dangerously in the Baebang-eup area.
Informant Mr. A posted an article titled "Asan Baebang-eup Bicycle Squad Students Notorious for Occupying Roads and Swearing," sharing photos and videos showing five male teenagers, presumed to be in their teens, riding their bicycles dangerously in the middle of the road. In the video, they can be seen occupying both lanes, performing stunts, and looking back while riding dangerously on the road.
Police are cracking down on students engaging in dangerous driving around Baebang-eup, Asan, Chungnam. Online community
However, the police are finding it difficult to take action, as most of those caught are elementary school students and are therefore difficult to punish. A police official stated, "At the scene, we advise them not to ride dangerously and send them home," adding, "When we ask for their parents' contact information to hand them over, they often ignore us, saying, 'Why? Isn't that personal information?' which leaves us at a loss even on the spot."
Under these circumstances, their behavior is becoming increasingly bold. Not only do they ignore vehicles and pedestrians, but there have also been cases where they make obscene gestures at adults who scold them for dangerous riding or even verbally abuse the police officers who respond to the scene.
In response, the police held a departmental meeting on youth bicycle safety the previous day to discuss countermeasures. The police plan to begin indefinite patrols at the three elementary schools in the Baebang-eup area where reports have been concentrated, as well as other schools in the vicinity, and will strengthen safety guidance and promotional activities in cooperation with the Asan Office of Education under the Chungnam Office of Education.
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